Requirement of Photograph for Indian Passport Sample Photo Requirements The photograph should be in colour and of the size of 2 inch x 2 inch 51 mm x 51 mm. The photo print should be clear and with a continuous tone quality. It should have full face, front view, eyes open. Photo should present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin. Center head within frame. The background should be a plain white or off white. There should not be any distracting shadows on the face or on the background. Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown. The expression on the face should look natural. Sample of the Photo
Do s and Dont s for a Proper photo The photo should capture full face, front view, with eyes open. The head should be in the centre of the frame. There should be no distracting shadows on the face or background. distracting background not centered Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches 25 mm to 35 mm. Make sure eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3. Sample
Lighting on face and background The light should be even and balanced to avoid shadows on the face. Background behind the face should be properly illuminated to avoid shadows in the background. shadows behind head shadows across the face Photograph Print Properties The photograph should be in size 2 inch x 2 inch 51 mm x 51 mm and in colour. Print photo on thin photo paper or stock. Ensure the print is clear and has a continuous tone quality. Do not retouch or otherwise enhance or soften the photo.
blurred ink marked/creased Resolution and Printing Quality High resolution photography and printing are strongly recommended. Both conventional and digital photography are acceptable, and conventional or digital printing methods may be used. Resulting print should exhibit a continuous tone quality regardless of the print method used dye sublimation, ink jet, laser, etc. Digitally printed photos should be produced without visible pixels or dot patterns Fine facial features should be discernible. washed out colours pixelated Contrast and Colour
Brightness and contrast should be adjusted to present the subject and background accurately. Photos without proper contrast or colour may obscure unique facial features. Colour should reproduce natural skin tones. Fluorescent or other lighting with unbalanced colour may cause unwanted colour cast in the photo. Appropriate filters can eliminate improper colour balance. looking away unnatural skin tones Head & Eyes Position and Background Head should face the camera directly and should not tilt or turned portrait style. Photo must show both edges of the face clearly. The eyes must be open, level and clearly visible and must not be covered by hairs or eyeglass frames. hairs across eyes eyes closed Eyeglasses
Glare on eyeglasses should be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head. No tinted or dark glasses. dark tinted lenses flash reflection on lenses Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown. Exposure and Lighting There should not be any overexposure or under exposure which results in an unusable photo. There should be a three point balanced lighting. Facial features should be clearly evident in the photo.
Lighting should be adjusted to avoid shadows on the face or background. Diffuse sources of light, such as umbrella lights, are preferable to point sources. too dark too light Flexibility in Childrens' photographs Babies under one year do not have to have their eyes open. As regards the photograph of the children under ten years of age, requirements can be somewhat relaxed in respect of height of the face, and the position of the eyes in the photographs; and in case of babies and infants also, the position of the face, the facial expression, the eyes and the line of sight can have some relaxation. However, a frontal photograph with clarity is required for children. It should show the child alone no chair backs, toys or other people visible, looking at the camera with a neutral expression and the mouth closed. shows background mouth open and toy close to face Photographs taken with a digital camera should be of high quality colour.